Thomas, Renie Earn SEC Player of the Week Honors
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee redshirt-junior
Jaida Thomas and junior
Lawson Renie received SEC Player of the Week honors as announced by the league office on Monday.
The recognition comes following UT's win over previously undefeated #13 Ole Miss in Oxford on Friday.
Thomas, a 2021 Second-Team All-American, earns SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in her career, having been SEC Freshman of the Week on four occasions during her rookie campaign. She scored the game-winner in Tennessee's 1-0 win over Ole Miss, putting a head on a cross and placing it in the side net from eight yards out in the 79th minute. She was on the field for 79 minutes, getting off five shots, three of which were on frame. The goal at Ole Miss was her 10th goal of the season and third game-winner. With 10 goals and two assists over 11 games, she currently leads the SEC in total goals, goals per game, total points and points per game.
It is the first weekly honor for Renie who anchored the Lady Vols' defense for the full 90 minutes at Ole Miss. UT shut out the previously undefeated Rebels, limiting them to just nine shots and three shots on goal. Renie also got involved in the attack, getting in the box on a corner kick and placing a header on frame. She leads the team in minutes played and has been on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in six contests this season.
Thomas and Renie move UT's total weekly award count to three on the season, joining senior
Lindsey Romig who was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 19, 2022, following a career-high nine saves at Florida.
Tennessee is back in action this Thursday, hosting Missouri for a 7 p.m. ET matchup that will be streamed on SECN+.